Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-01
Gales and Sketehes.
Faiths ElOpement.

o'o" hAOPCmCuts
Far up on the step ladder, busting the
tops OF the bookcase and frames,
stood our diminutive heroine, Faith Bry-
son,
This was Wednesday. the general
"cl'arin' up" day, as the kitchen facto-
tum termed it, when a vigorous onslaught
was waged against the enemies, dirt and
dust. until every corner shone again.
Just as Faith had mounted on tip toe to
an imaginary speck of dust up on the
wall. she heard vigorous, manly step
come ringing down the hall, and CHEEKY
whistle that she knew. So she had lust
time to sit down on the top step of the
ladder. when an intrusive head appeared
inside the door, and a laughing voice said
pleadinglv:
Please, ma'am, may | come inp"
MOI cried Faith, from the clouds, as
it were, "of course not. Whatever pos
sesses you always to come over Wednes-
day mornings, when you are certain to
find us in plight, and | looking like a
| fright"
(Which is a rhyme, oh ladye mine, ="
answered the intruder. awaiting no further
persuasion, but walking in coolly enough,
looking with such evident admiration at
the fairy figure enthroned so far above
his head that the pretty eyelids dropped,
and quick tinge deepened in the fair
cheek.
Perhaps you think young lady with a
sweeping cap on her head and dust brush
in her hand can't be made to look pctur.
esque. but that shows your experience is
at lault Two or three moisened rings of
golden hair had crept out from under the
obnoxious cap which bound in blue. was
far from unbecoming. and she made a
bright bit of coloring against the dusky
back ground OF the somtre-hued library.
What's your errand, sir intruder. and
how did you know where | wasP" SAID
Faith at length. breaking the silence that
was rapidly becoming dangerous.
81 met your mother at the door, who
gracouslv informed me OF your where
abouts, and as to my errand, as though
needed any other motive power to give
me brisk three-quarters of a mile walk,
than to ascertain the condition of m'lady's
health and happiness" bowling profound
| ly.
Have done with such nonsense, Fred,
and tell me the truth in plain Anglo-Saxon.
Is that all you wanted to knowp" and the
red lips pouted so bewitchingly that Fred
wished in the depns of his wicked heart
that she was not quite 80 far away from
him.
"Well. no. not quite all l want to
know" he answered, and Fred Clauson's
voice mad queer ring in it. as he looked
up at her in a way that caused the eyelds
. ell ~ l,,a Rat
my principal errand here this morning Is
to invite your ladvship.to ride down the
river on the ice this afternoon to Gains
boro. Fannie Gleason and Will blanchard,
Minnie Gray and Ed Brown are going
We will start just after dinner, and star
back before dark"
"Oh, how charming, Fred ~ cried
Faith, slipping down from the ladder ;
"&hat lovely things you always think OF !!
| III 90 and see what mamma says" And
she flew toward mammals room, with a
little fear in her heart lest the whole affair
should be vetoed by that excellent lady,
for mamma never felt easy when Faith
was on the river, although the road was
essayed at the beginning OF winter. and
tested every day by teams passing over it.
Yet occasionally accidents wouo happen.
Least of all did she like the idea of her
going with Fred Clauson, for these two
had been in love with each other ever
since they wore pinafores, and Fred was q
little wild, not very bad, you know, but
still some things that he did Deacon Bry-
son and his wife did not altogether APP.
prove of
Now. viii blanchard, great good
natured fellow. with plenty of money
bad been pretty attentive to Faith lately
and mamma was comforting herself with
the thought that Faith had outgrown hei
childish attachment. She raised no par
ticular objection to the excursion now
particularly as willy Faith named over the
ones who were going, putting Will Man
chard's name first.
So Fred drove up soon after in his nat
ty little Portland cutter. filled with warn
robes and drawn by his fast trotter. a
which Mamma Bryson looked askanee
but she had her hands so full of wrap,
and warm soapstones, and her mind 81
full of parting admonitions to her daugh
ter, that Fred luckily escaped the lecture
he otherwise must inevitably have received
on fast driving.
They made handsome couple. ever
mamma could not help acknowledging
that, and Faiths merry laugh came bach
more musical than the silver-voiced bell
J to the loving mothers heart. For Faith
the only child, was idolized by her parents
Soon they were flying down the rivel
as only Fred's fast trotter could tax,
them, so that they reached Gainsboro Ia
in advance of the rest OF the party. They
were not at all cold, and Faith dislike(
going to the hotel before the others came
up. So bright thought occurred to FREQ
most opportunity.
IL have little business to attend to .
Angelica. only two miles from here across
the country. Supposing We ride ove